"Mums stay"

My Mum was brought into A&E by ambulance on Weds 17th Feb. The care she received while there was amazing. The doctor caring for her was understanding and listened. She was admitted with a UTI and temperature which had exasperated her falls due to her Parkinsons disease.She stayed for one night on the AMU ward, and on Thursday she was later transferred to Ford ward where the ward clerk HCA's Nusing staff and Doctor and OT/Physios showed so much care and concern not just for Mum but for my 89 year old father who is her main carer. I can only compliment them all for everything. My only major concern through the whole 9 days she spent as an inpatient was the total lack of tact the doctor from AMU showed when i spoke to her on Weds evening to get the result of the CT scan.During a short phone call she talked about my Mum having a placement and had we discussed resucitation. My Dad and I were distraught. She did not come in because she was dying and even though this is apparently a question that has to be ased with the elderly it should not have been done on the phone just a few hours after leaving Mum . We found it very upsetting and last year when she was on Birdham ward we weren't asked this question, but I know things change. I have to say that when i got off the phone i had to explan i all to my Dad and he got really upset and thought his wife was going to be taken away from his care.

Responses

We shall make sure that the staff who looked after your mother so well are made aware of your appreciation.

We are sorry that the whole experience was marred by the resuscitation discussion, and that this upset you and your father so much. Whilst we cannot identify your mother from this site (as it is anonymous), we shall liaise with the staff on what was AMU (now called 'Emergency Floor') so that they are made aware of the impact this had.

The issue of resusciaton is complex and needs sensitive handling and communication, and it is important that we learn from patients' and relatives' feedback.

If you would like more information and/or a fuller response, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) by emailing palschichester@wsht.nhs.uk or by ringing 01243 831822.